Poor Rocky

SteveL · #1 10-16-2009, 02:16 PM

Wow have I fought a valiant fight with what to feed poor Rocky. I say poor Rocky because he seems to have a very sensitive tummy. When I fist got him the breeder was feeding him IAM Large Breed Puppy food. I continued using that and like most puppies he ended up with worms and diarrhea. Not knowing it was from the worms I started feeding him rice and boiled chicken. When he did not thow much improvement after 24 hours I took him to the vet. The vet told me ha had worms and I could go back to his puppy food and thins would clear up (he wormed him). He was right. I gave him a smoked pigs ear on night in his kennel about 2 weeks later and that started a three week fight with the poops. 3 vet visits and 2 prescriptions later he started to get better. I just about had him whipped back into shape when I gave him another pigs ear (I didn’t add one and one till the second time). Sure enough it started over. I put him on white rice chicken canned pumpkin and a little cottage cheese. I got him just about back to real dog food when I read I should be feeding him something better. I got INNOVA large puppy food (hadn’t read the fist post at the time). I started mixing it with the IAMS and he started looking better Long story short his tummy after several attempts cannot handle the Innova food. I tried several times over a 2 week period and he would just stop eating after one meal and started throwing up. Called the factory and they said this was not that uncommon some dogs just cant stomach rich food. I went to pet supermarket and they told me to try Nutro Chicken Rice and Oatmeal food. He seems to love it and his condition is improving faster than it ever has. I am so afraid of trying another food but I am not sure he is on the best thing in that price range (about the top of my budget).

**gmacleod** · #2 10-16-2009, 07:01 PM

There is no food in existence, no matter what the quality, that suits every single dog

And equally, just because one food didn't work well with your pup, it is no indication that another food might not work brilliantly. So you really shouldn't worry just because one formula (amongst the thousands on the market) didn't happen to suit.

Unfortunately, there is only one way to find out whether any given food will suit your individual - and that is to try it

In your case, I would suggest giving him a little time for his tummy to be well settled down, and then try another food. I'd also suggest trying something that is NOT a chicken/rice mix. Dogs, as much as people, need a varied diet and it appears that everything he's had so far is chicken/rice. A change would be good

BxrMommieNAZ · #3 10-16-2009, 11:28 PM

I would also add thta maybe a limited ingredient diet, such as Natural Balance LID or Wellness limited ingredient line or California Natural may help. I personally have a very sensitive stomach dog VERY sensitive and he does beautifully on Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato, Fish and Sweet Potato, or Chciken and Sweet Potato varieties along with an acidophilus capsule with each meal and ProZyme with each meal. I haven't had any runs or puking in almost 2 years with this plan and he's thrived.

Also, all premium foods allow you to return the unused portion of the food if you aren't happy for ANY reason to the place you purchased it from, so don't feel like if it doesn't work you're out the money, you can always return it. Also, any switch you make should be done over 7-10 days VERY slowly (probably better at 10 for him).

Good luck!

SteveL · #4 10-18-2009, 06:03 PM

Thanks for the advice....Anyone know why dog food website did not review any of the Nutro line

BxrMommieNAZ · #5 10-18-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveL

Thanks for the advice....Anyone know why dog food website did not review any of the Nutro line

They did, it's under the 3 star foods.

**gmacleod** · #6 10-19-2009, 04:26 AM

Updates to the Nutro range is a work in progress. Their formulas have changed fairly recently, so whilst the old reviews can still be viewed in the archives, full reviews on the new products are still pending. It is not a commercial site and you cannot expect instant action from volunteers who give their time for free

SteveL · #7 10-19-2009, 06:22 AM

Please don't take any questions as criticism. I actually thought Nutro might only be a local food. I seem to struggle using the search function. I am experiencing slight resistance returning my Innova food but I will find out more this afternoon. He loves the Nutro, in fact it is the fist food he has eaten the bags recommendation for his weight and age, but he sure poops A LOT. I am leaning toward getting him started (slowly) on Natural Balance. I really appreciate all the advise.

BTW.. I didn't realize the Dog Food analysis site was a sister site to this one.

BxrMommieNAZ · #8 10-19-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveL

Please don't take any questions as criticism. I actually thought Nutro might only be a local food. I seem to struggle using the search function. I am experiencing slight resistance returning my Innova food but I will find out more this afternoon. He loves the Nutro, in fact it is the fist food he has eaten the bags recommendation for his weight and age, but he sure poops A LOT. I am leaning toward getting him started (slowly) on Natural Balance. I really appreciate all the advise.

BTW.. I didn't realize the Dog Food analysis site was a sister site to this one.

Nutro is a low quality food IMO, not to mention they have countless complaints against them (check out consumer reviews) and there are some class action lawsuits starting too plus they've been a part of them before. My dog would happily eat McDonald's everyday too doesn't mean I'd let them eat it. For the sake of your dog's health I would encourage you to choose another food. And remember, the recommendations are just that, recommendations, all dogs are different and some foods are more nutritious than others in which your dog may not NEED to eat the recommended amount to be full. As long as they have good energy, eat some, and drink, are playful, nice looking coat, I really wouldn't be as concerned about the amount eaten so much as I would be about the quality of the food.

JMO.

SteveL · #9 10-19-2009, 09:40 AM

I am changing him... Just afraid to do it too quickly. When I switched him to Nutro @ the pet stores recomendation I did it cold turkey but he was so sick it couldn't hurt. He is now showing signs of improvement so I think I will just make the switch over the next week to 10 days depending on his progress.

SteveL · #10 10-19-2009, 09:41 AM

BTW.. How do you feed the acidophilus capsule? Do you just throw it in with his food?